8 Fun Hacks for a Hoppy Easter Holiday

Easy Easter Egg Dye

Never, ever pay for egg dye! Simply mix a half cup of boiling water with a half teaspoon of white vinegar, and add food coloring until you get a hue you like. For a striped egg even the Easter Bunny would be proud of, wrap tape around the egg before dipping. Once the egg dries, remove the tape, tape over the colored parts, and dip again in a different color. You can also use stickers in the shapes of hearts, stars, and letters.

Easter Egg Accessory

The perfect holder for an Easter egg? The upside-down tops to soda and water bottles! For a little extra flair, glue a piece of Easter ribbon around the outside of them.

No-Break Easter Eggs

Before you hard-boil eggs for decorating this year, prevent cracks by first poking a tiny hole in one end of the egg with a pin or needle (make sure it’s clean!).

Easy Marbled Easter Eggs

These eggs are even cooler-looking than other marbled eggs. Rather than dyeing just the outer shell, our food coloring seeps into the shells’ cracks to create neat spider-web effects. First, hard-boil your eggs as usual. Once they’re cooled, tap each egg on a hard surface to make cracks in the shell—but don’t peel! Using a spoon, drip food coloring all over the eggs, and let them dry. Rinse with water and peel the shells. You’ll have beautiful marbled eggs that are ready to eat!

Easter Egg Hunters

If you’re hosting an egg hunt for kids of various ages, try color-coding the eggs by age group. Yellow eggs might be hidden in easy-to-find places for the younger kids, while green eggs can be stowed in sneakier spots for the big kids.

Beat-the-Sweets Easter Treat

We like to mix up our Easter snacks so the kids aren’t eating only sugary sweets. This snack is a little more healthful than the usual candy, plus it’s super-cute and Easter-colorful. Pour cheesy goldfish crackers into a clear plastic pastry bag and tie the opening closed with green ribbon: You’ve got a carrot! (At least in shape, if not nutritional value.) If you don’t have a pastry bag, you can also use the corner of a sandwich bag and some tape.

Reader’s Tip

Make Easter dinner even more fun for the kids (and big kids, too!) by putting together these adorable table settings that look like carrots...

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Free to Focus: An Interview with Michael Hyatt

In today’s episode, I talk with Michael Hyatt, about his new book, Free to Focus. Michael has been a successful CEO, a best-selling author, and speaker on the systems he developed that helped him produce his outstanding business results.

Click on the audio player above to hear the interview, or watch the video version online. Michael shares his top tips for managing your life to get more done in less time.

Here are some of the tips he discusses:

• Scale yourself. You’re only one person. You can't do it all (nor should you want to). Figure out your strengths, and arrange to spend your time and effort there. If something isn’t your strength, eliminate, delegate, or automate it. If you aren’t a maestro when it comes to mowing your lawn? Let it go. See also: 

• Find your point of leverage. Leverage is when you can put in a small amount of effort and get a large amount of results. Look for opportunities to find leverage in your life and business. Then put your efforts on those high-leverage activities. When it comes to scaling yourself, you’ll be able to find a lot of leverage by using a Freedom Compass to decide where to spend your time. 

• Use the Freedom Compass to set your direction. The key to scaling yourself is to use the Freedom Compass. Look for the things you’re passionate about, where your skills are strong enough to make you in demand. That’s your Zone of Desire, the True North on your Freedom Compass. Do everything you can to spend most of your time there. (Listen to the full episode for more about the Freedom Compass and the other Zones.)

• Scope your goals. Goals are things you are excited to accomplish that are outside your comfort zone. Set 10–15 goals for the year. Then use Michael’s 3–3–3 rule to accomplish them. Set three big goals for the quarter, three goals for the week, and three goals for the day. Let those guide your actions.

• Set daily goals. You probably have a task list that’s as long as your arm. You can’t get all that done in one day. So each day, choose three big things to accomplish, and let those guide your day. Those are the last “3” of the 3–3–3 rule.

• Use constraints and boundaries. Limitations force you to get creative. When you have time limits or other boundaries, you’ll paradoxically get more done. 

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5 Facts About the First Ever Image of a Black Hole

Last week we witnessed an incredible first: the first ever image taken of a black hole. If you turned on a computer, opened a newspaper, or turned on the television, you saw the orange, glowing donut. We discussed here on the Everyday Einstein podcast, two years ago when the observations were first taken, what kind of telescope—or rather a globe-spanning combination of telescopes—was needed to take such an image. 

See also: What Happens If You Fall Into a Black Hole?

So what do we make of the image now that it’s finally here? What exactly are we looking at? Is it what we expected? And what’s next?

Here are 5 facts about the first ever image taken of a black hole:

Why is this the first image we’ve ever taken of a black hole?

Supermassive black holes like to lurk in centers of massive galaxies like our Milky Way, but despite being so common, before last Wednesday, we had never actually seen one. Astronomers had only been able to infer their presence based on the motions of stars that orbit them or the energetic radiation that gets emitted as the matter being gobbled up by the black hole heats up. The problem, of course, is that black holes are so dense that their gravity becomes so strong that not even light—massless, fast-traveling light—can escape. Black holes are, by definition, black. 

Humanity got our first look at a black hole last week, however, thanks to the use of radio waves and an observational trick called interferometry. In an interferometer, multiple telescopes are used together to mimic one larger telescope and thus observe with finer detail than would be possible on their own. Such observations are only now possible thanks to world class radio telescopes, the invention of the algorithms required to analyze their data, and, of course, a team daring enough to try it.

The black spot at the center of the image encompasses the black hole itself, including its event horizon, the point of no return for any matter and light, as well as the shadow it casts on its surroundings.

Why is the black hole shaped like a lopsided donut?

The black spot at the center of the image encompasses the black hole itself, including its event horizon, the point of no return for any matter and light, as well as the shadow it casts on its surroundings. This “shadow”...

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Is BMI an Accurate Way to Measure Body Fat?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a mathematical formula that divides a person's weight by the square of their height to arrive at a number that falls into one of these bodyweight categories:

• Very severely underweight
• Severely underweight
• Underweight
• Normal (healthy weight)
• Overweight
• Obese Class I (Moderately obese)
• Obese Class II (Severely obese)
• Obese Class III (Very severely obese)

Beyond assigning one of these categories, a high BMI can be also an indicator of high body fat and therefore can be used to screen for certain weight levels that could lead to health problems. Even though it is often used as one, it is not a true diagnostic of body fatness or of an individual’s overall health.

As most of us fitness-focused folks have likely heard, BMI is far from a perfect measurement. Much of the time, and often when it really counts, the BMI measurement may actually overestimate or even underestimate a person’s body fat. And when it does, it really does.

Where Does BMI Go Wrong?

A common example that people use when talking smack about BMI is that it doesn't distinguish between body fat and muscle mass, which is important because a hunk of muscle weighs more than the same size hunk of fat.

Some good examples of this misinterpretation, according to an analysis of BMI’s Blind Spots, are former Olympians Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps, who just narrowly miss the 'overweight' camp. Then there is star NFL quarterback Tom Brady who’s BMI categorizes him as obese. Also basketball player Lebron James and NHL right winger, Phil Kessel, both have a BMI of 27.5 and as we will learn later, a BMI between 25-29.9 is considered overweight.

How does this kooky error happen? Well, imagine a sedentary person who is six feet tall and weighs 203 pounds. They would have a BMI of 27.

Now, imagine a sprinter who is also six feet tall but weighs 211 lbs. They would have a BMI of 28.

A glob of muscle weighs about 18 percent more than the same size glob of fat.

So, according to the BMI, the sprinter is more overweight than the sedentary person. But as I said earlier, a glob of muscle weighs about 18 percent more than the same size glob of fat, so this is clearly not an accurate statement.

This isn’t the only place...

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13 Fake (and Real) Food Names

1. Brussels Sprouts

The ancestors of modern day Brussels sprouts were likely first cultivated in ancient Rome, not Brussels. Although the first written record of these miniature, cabbage-like vegetables came in 1587, present day varieties are thought to have been growing in Belgium’s capital since the thirteenth century, and the vegetable is popular in Belgium, but Belgium is not one of the leading world producers of Brussels sprouts. Depending on which style guide you follow, the B in “Brussels sprouts” can be capitalized or lowercase. The Chicago Manual of Style recommends lowercase because Brussels sprouts often aren’t from Brussels, so their editors don’t view “Brussels” as being used literally to refer to the city, but the AP Stylebook says to capitalize “Brussels.” For our first ruling, this one is kind of waffle-y. Brussels sprouts didn’t originally come from Brussels and the city isn’t a big supplier of the little cabbages, but they probably got their name because they were so popular in Brussels. If forced to choose, we’d have to say the name isn’t fake.

2. Scotch Eggs

The Scotch egg is a dish made from a hard or soft-boiled egg that is encased in sausage, coated with breadcrumbs, and deep fried or baked. Dotting the aisles of English supermarkets and gas stations, Scotch eggs are an undoubtedly British staple, though they do not hail from Scotland as their name suggests.

The treat has varying origin stories; one states that the Piccadilly outlet of the English department store Fortnum & Mason created the snack for its wealthy customers to munch on as they traveled. One theory is that officers of the Scots Guards who were stationed near the store particularly liked the dish, and that’s where it got its name. Another theory claims that the egg dish was created in Yorkshire at a restaurant called William J Scott & Sons where it was originally called “Scotties.” Some people speculate that the family name “Scott” may be the origin of the name “Scotch eggs.” According to food historian Annie Gray, a likely origin of the snack is that it may be an alteration of nargisi kofta, a dish that was brought to England either by soldiers returning from India or by the British Raj. Nargisi kofta is similar to Scotch eggs in that they...

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6 Ways to Celebrate National Picnic Day

Spring is one of the most invigorating times of the year. As the days get longer, we gravitate outdoors, glad to enjoy the sunshine and warmer temperatures.

One of the perks of warmer weather is gathering with family and friends to relish a meal outside. Thanks to National Picnic Day, celebrated on April 23 each year, you can create a festive food experience sitting on your favorite checkered tablecloth under a beautiful tree in the park or smack-dab in your living room.

Make life a picnic and celebrate with a meal that doesn’t require your loved ones to be tableside. Here are some ideas to move your meal from kitchen to the park, playground, beach, or backyard:

• Tailgate: Surprise your kids with a mini road trip. Pack a picnic, scoop everyone up, and drive to your favorite park or beach. Enjoy delicious treats right out of the trunk of your car. If weather permits bring some balls, frisbees, or other outdoor games that you can enjoy before heading home. Don’t forget to stop for ice cream!

• Curbside to Go: Many local restaurants now have great choices you can order right off their regular menu that can be called in and picked up curbside. Choose your family’s favorites and find a fun location you can sit and munch to your heart’s content.

• Invite Stuffed Pals: Every child has their go-to stuffed animal that they love sharing life with. Create a picnic that includes your kids' toys. Make sure they get a little treat to enjoy as well.

• Adult Friendly: National Picnic Day makes a wonderful date night for tired parents who don’t get enough alone time. Call your babysitter,  pack your favorite foods and that perfect bottle of wine and find a romantic venue where can enjoy an evening under the stars together—alone.

• Family Room Fun: If the weather seems iffy or you’d prefer to stay close to home, prepare your family’s favorite foods and have a picnic in your living room. Get your kids involved—let them set out the paper plates on a tablecloth you’ve spread out on the floor. Don’t be concerned about the neat factor. After dinner, curl...

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What to Do If I Have a Favorite Child?

Last week, I received a phone message from an anonymous Mighty Mommy listener asking for input on a question that many parnts struggle with:  “I’m really feeling quite guilty about this—I have two children and I can honestly say that I like one more than the other. Help!”

Firstly, I’d like to thank my listener for bringing up this taboo parenting topic. Lots of parents actually feel this way, but we often hide our true feelings for fear of judgment.

In my experience of raising eight kids, I learned quickly that no two children are the same and the truth is that I don’t always feel equally about each of them either.

70% of dads and 74% of moms report preferential treatment toward one child.

So today, Mighty Mommy tackles how to deal with having a favorite child so you won’t be riddled with guilt for the rest of your parenting life:

Love and Favoritism Are Not the Same

I first became a mother through adoption, so I didn’t have the physical challenges of delivering a baby and was able to enjoy her without dealing with a sore, postpartum body. Although I did have the normal anxiety associated with adoption, I was finally a mother after a long struggle with infertility so my focus was on enjoying my newborn. The love I felt for her was like nothing else I’d ever experienced.

One year later, I delivered my first son and the experience was totally different. Truthfully there was nothing enjoyable about it. The labor and delivery were rough, breastfeeding was a nightmare, and my son didn’t tolerate most of the formulas we tried. I’m honest in saying that I didn’t enjoy this experience at all like I did our daughter’s adoption, but the love I felt for him was still pure and deep.

In Psychology Today’s article "Do Parents Have Favorite Children?" Dr. Ellen Weber Libby discusses three principles regarding favoritism: Can children be treated equally? How do love and favoritism differ? Can who's the favorite change? Her take is that love and favoritism are not the same. “Love connotes tender feelings and strong affection usually accompanied by loyalty and devotion. In contrast, favoritism implies choosing or preferring one person over another. Parents may love all their children, and at certain times, prefer or favor one over others.”

I totally relate to this explanation. I have a deep love for all my kids, but the approach each one needs is as different and unique as they are. 

Dr. Libby also notes that...

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